Physical Electronics, Photonics & Magnetics

The quantum phenomena of nanoscale structures can be used to discover and engineer effects that can be usefully employed for high performance computing and telecommunications applications, and for advanced concepts in sensor biophysics devices. Research interests focus on semiconductor physics and modeling of electronic and optoelectronic devices in the nanoscale, low dimensional effects, quantum effects, quantum information processing/computing, molecular electronics, bionics/biological computing, and phonon processes in nanostructures.

Research Showcase

New Design Improves Performance of Flexible Wearable Electronics

In a proof-of-concept study, North Carolina State University engineers have designed a flexible thermoelectric energy harvester that has the potential to rival the effectiveness of existing power wearable electronic devices using body heat as the only source of energy.

Use of III-Nitride properties for novel Gunn-effect terahertz device performance;

Compact model extraction and development for GaN based devices.

Optical Materials and Photonic Devices

Photonics is the science and technology of generating and controlling photons, particularly in the visible and near infra-red spectrum. Photonics as a science is closely related to quantum optics and optoelectronics with somewhat unclear boundaries. Quantum optics frequently implies fundamental research, while photonics often refers to more application-related research.

Many different fields use photonics regularly. Photonics is used by medical professionals to correct poor eyesight and to do laser surgery. The military uses it to detect mines. Construction companies do laser leveling and rangefinding by photonics. Even the entertainment industry finds uses for photonics in light shows and holographs.

Quantum Engineering

As feature sizes scale towards atomic dimensions in nanoelectronic devices quantum phenomena become dominamt. The quantum engineering groups explore quantum phenomena in nanoscale structures to discover and engineer effects that can be usefully employed for high performance computing and telecommunications applications, and for advanced concepts in sensor and biophysics devices.

This activity centers on semiconductor physics and modeling of electronic and optoelectronic devices in the nanoscale, low dimensional effects, quantum effects, quantum information processing/computing, spin electronics, molecular electronics, bionics/biological computing, nonlinear physics of solids, phonon processes in nanostructures, and collective electron and hole phenomena. We collaborate with experimental groups who investigate the properties of materials and devices of mutual interest.

Silicon Devices and Fabrication

Silicon technology continues to advance at an amazing rate. However, scaling of dimensions into the nano regeme presents a significant number of challenges for devices, materials, and integration technologies. Non-classical CMOS devices are needed to enhance performance at higher levels of integration.

New materials are needed for each new generation of devices; such materials include: high k dielectrics, metal gate electrodes, strain layers, molecules for charge storage, and carbon nanotubes. Low temperature-short time processes are needed to reduce interdiffusion. New methods to analyze, measure and control statistical fluctuations in small geometries. Research groups in this area also study the extension of the silicon technology base to address energy conversion, chemical- and bio-sensors, and nano-electro mechanical structure (NEMS) needs. Also of interest are manufacturing techonolgies to achieve large scale integration or reliable structures at affordable costs.